Trinidad & Tobago - Guidebook Chapter. Chapter from Caribbean Islands Travel Guide Book

126 Pages·2012·8.98 MB·English

by  Lonely Planet

Table of Contents
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDEBOOK
COUNTRY MAP
NEED TO KNOW
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Trinidad
Tobago
Understand Trinidad & Tobago
Survival Guide
LANGUAGE
OUR WRITERS
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF LONELY PLANET MAPS
E-reader devices vary in their ability to show our maps. To get the most out of the maps in this
guide, use the zoom function on your device. Or, visit
http://media.lonelyplanet.com/ebookmaps and grab a PDF download or print out all the maps
in this guide.
This map was taken from our country guide. If you want to discover more about the locations
highlighted here, head to our website to buy books, download PDFs or find out about our full
eBook offerings. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ebooks
need to know Top of section
PLANES
» » Essential for island hopping between destinations without ferries,
and for reaching the region in the first place
FERRIES
» » You’ll wish there were more between islands but where they run
(eg St Kitts to Nevis, Dominica to Martinique) you’ll love ’em
CRUISE SHIP
» » Not a viable way to independently island hop; itineraries are set
and you’re on for the duration
SAILING
» » With time, skills and a boat you can set your own schedule in the
islands; rentals are easy
MAIL BOATS
» » Aging tubs that take passengers; they’re still found in back corners
of the region, such as Grenada to the Grenadines
BUMMING
» » With a winning smile and some pluck, you might meet somebody at
a marina who’s looking for a deckhand, a cook or just a companion
Your Daily Budget
BUDGET LESS THAN US$150
» » Divers hotels often best value
» » Look for rooms off the beach – save US$10 for every minute you
walk » Eat what the locals eat
MIDRANGE US$150 –300
» » Double room in the action: US$200
» » Eschew hyped activities; rent bikes, walk, visit parks » Stay at the
best places... in low season
TOP END OVER US $300
» » Beautiful rooms at the best resorts in high season: US$400 and over
» Get private surfing lessons
» » Buy the posh bar a round of champagne
When to Go
HIGH SEASON (DEC–APR)
» » People fleeing the northern winter arrive in droves and prices peak »
The region’s driest time
» » Can be cold in the northern Caribbean from Cuba to the Bahamas
SHOULDER (MAY–JUN & NOV)
» » The weather is good, rains are moderate » Warm temperatures
elsewhere reduce visitor numbers » Best mix of affordable rates and
good weather
LOW SEASON (JUL–OCT)
» » Hurricane season; odds of being caught are small, but tropical storms
are like clockwork » Good for Eastern Caribbean’s surf beaches, eg
Barbados » Room prices can be half or less than in high season
Websites
» » Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/caribbean) Destination
information, hotel bookings, travelers forums and more.
» » Caribbean Broadcasting Corp (www.cbc.bb) Regional news.
» » Caribbean Travel+Life (www.caribbeantravelmag.com) Features on
regional travel and events.
» » Pirate Jokes (www.piratejokes.net) How does a pirate keep fit?
Aarrrrobics.
Money
See the opening pages of each chapter for details on which currencies
are used on each island. The main currencies in the region: » Eastern
Caribbean dollar (EC$)
» » US dollar (US$) – accepted almost everywhere
» » Euro (€)
» » Netherlands Antillean guilder (NAf/ANG) – there are plans to replace this currency
Visas
» » Citizens of most Western countries (Canada, the EU, the US etc) don’t need visas for visits of
under 90 days throughout the region » Cuba requires a tourist card (CUC$15/US$25), usually
included with your airline ticket and issued upon check-in » Immigration officials may ask to see
proof of a ticket out of the country
What to Take
The Caribbean islands are casual, so bring light, comfy clothes: a bathing
suit, T-shirt and shorts will be your wardrobe. Add long pants or a dress
for nights out. A few essentials: » sun hat
» » a small quick-dry towel, for when the whim to swim hits » flashlight with batteries (nighttime
reading, blackouts) » plastic resealable bags – essential for keeping things (cameras, air tickets,
passports) dry on boat trips